Bracket for a fluorescent light fixture

ABSTRACT

A bracket for use on a wall and with a pair of fasteners and a fluorescent light fixture, the latter being of the type having an elongate housing including a substantially flat base adapted to be secured against a planar wall or ceiling surface. The bracket comprises a main body member defining an elongate slot and mounted in use to said wall such that, in use, said slot extends upwardly and away from said wall in angled relation thereto. In use, a pair of said brackets are mounted on said wall, in horizontally spaced relation to one another, and the base of said housing is mounted to the main body members by said fasteners, each extending through the slot of a respective main body member. A shelf can be supported across the brackets.

This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Application SerialNo. 2,516,806 filed Aug. 22, 2005, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of lighting, and moreparticularly, to a bracket for mounting fluorescent light fixtures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well-known to use incandescent lights for the purposes ofillumination, and a wide variety of fixtures are commercially available.Incandescent systems are known to provide pleasant illumination, atrelatively low installed cost. However, incandescent lights convertelectricity to visible light relatively inefficiently, and are thereforerelatively costly to run.

Fluorescent lighting represents an energy-efficient alternative, andlow-cost fluorescent fixtures are widely available. These fixturescommonly include an elongate housing including a substantially flat baseadapted to be secured against a planar wall or ceiling surface and apair of fluorescent tube receivers projecting from the housing, betweenwhich a fluorescent tube can be fitted to receive power. These fixturesare typically suspended from ceilings, to project downwardly, or mountedto walls, to project horizontally, and permit the assembly of aninexpensive and efficient lighting system. However, the illuminationprovided by known systems can be relatively unpleasant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bracket forms one aspect of the invention. The bracket is for use on awall and with a fastener and a fluorescent light fixture, the latterbeing of the type having an elongate housing including a substantiallyflat base adapted to be secured against a planar wall or ceilingsurface.

This bracket comprises a main body member defining an elongate slot andmounted in use to said wall such that, in use, said slot extendsupwardly and away from said wall in angled relation thereto. In use, thebase of said housing is mounted to the main body member by saidfastener, which extends through said slot.

A bracket for use on a wall and with a pair of fasteners, a shelf and afluorescent light fixture, the latter being of the type having anelongate housing including a substantially flat base adapted to besecured against a planar wall or ceiling surface, forms another aspectof the invention. This bracket comprises a main body member defining anelongate slot and mounted in use to said wall such that, in use, saidslot extends upwardly and away from said wall in angled relationthereto. In use, a pair of said brackets are mounted on said wall, inhorizontally spaced relation to one another, and the base of saidhousing is mounted to the main body members by said fasteners, eachfastener extending through the slot of a respective main body member.

These brackets permit the construction of an inexpensive andenergy-efficient lighting system, which provides pleasant levels ofillumination.

A shelf/light combination forms another aspect of the invention. Theshelf/light combination comprises a pair of brackets, mounted in use toa wall in horizontally spaced relation to one another, a shelf supportedupon the brackets in use; and a fluorescent light fixture secured to thebrackets so as to be positioned beneath the shelf in use and to directillumination away from the wall and downwardly.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention,as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements ofthe structure, and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description and the appended claims with reference tothe accompanying drawings, the latter being briefly describedhereinafter

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bracket constructed according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of the brackets of FIG. 1, inuse;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the structure of FIG. 3, from anopposing vantage point;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a bracket constructedaccording to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bracket constructed according to athird preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a view of the structure of FIG. 8, from an opposing vantagepoint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a bracket, is illustrated, and is designated by the generalreference numeral 20.

The bracket includes a main body member 22 and an insert portion 24,shown separated from one another in the exploded view in FIG. 2.

The main body member 22 includes a base portion 26, a support portion 28and a strut portion 30, formed integrally, out of a single piece ofmetal bar, bent and welded into the appropriate shape.

The base portion 26 takes the form of a substantially rectangular metalplate having a first end 26A and a second end 26B, spaced apart from oneanother, and is provided with two apertures 32 disposed adjacent thefirst end 26A.

The support portion 28 bisects and extends substantially normally frombase portion 26 to a terminus 34, and defines a planar support surface36 provided with apertures 38.

The strut portion 30 extends from the second end 26B of the base portion26 to the terminus 34 of the support portion 28, and defines a planarmounting surface 88 and an elongate slot 40. The strut portion 30 liesat an angle of about 45 degrees to said base portion 26. The slot 40extends through the strut portion 30 such that it opens in a directionnormal to the planar mounting surface 88, that is, the walls whichdefine the slot 40 are perpendicular to the mounting surface 88.

The insert 24 defines an aperture 42, specifically, three apertures 42and is fitted in frictionally-engaged relation in the main body member22. The insert 24 is molded out of a plastics material and is thinnerthan the body member 22.

The bracket 20 is illustrated in use in FIGS. 3,4,5,6 wherein a pair ofthe brackets 20 are shown, along with a wall 44, a shelf 46, afluorescent light fixture 48 and three fluorescent tubes 50 (forclarity, the wall 44 is not shown in FIG. 4). The fixture 48 is of thetype having an elongate housing 52 including a substantially flat base54 adapted to be secured against a planar wall or ceiling surface. Thetubes 50 are adapted to be used with said fixture 48.

In use, the base portion 26 of each bracket 20 is securely mounted inuse to wall 44 by fasteners 60 extending through apertures 32, with thefirst end 26A of the base portion 26 defining an upper end of the baseportion 26 and the second end 26B thereof defining a lower end of thebase portion 26. Fastener 60 and aperture 32 are shown in phantomoutline in FIG. 6. The slot 40 in each strut portion 30 extends upwardlyand away from said wall 44 in angled relation in a first direction Awhich lies parallel to a vertical plane C-C orientated normal to saidwall 44, and opens in a second direction B transverse to the firstdirection A and also lying parallel to said vertical plane C-C. Theplanar support surface 36 of each support member 28 is orientatedsubstantially horizontally, and presents in an upward direction. Thebase 54 of the housing 52 is mounted to each strut portion 30 by afastener 56, as best seen in FIG. 6, extending through the slot 40 ofsaid strut portion 30. The smaller thickness of the insert 24 providesclearance for the fastener 56. The shelf 46 is supported by the supportportions 28, and is secured in place by screws 58 (also shown in phantomin FIG. 6) extending through apertures 38.

The apertures 42 in the inserts 24 are aligned with one another, tocollectively define tube storage slots for storing said tubes 50 forfuture use.

The elongate slots 40 used for mounting the fixture 48 enable thebrackets 20 to be readily used with a variety of commercially availablefixtures. The slots 40 also permit the location of the fixtures used tobe readily adjusted. These features enable the brackets 20 to be readilysold through normal retail hardware channels.

The lighting system produced by said brackets 20, indicated generally byreference numeral 70 in FIG. 4, provides pleasant levels ofillumination. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believedthat the placement of the fixture, that is, along a wall, at relativelylow height, combined with its orientation, so as to project light awayfrom the wall and downwardly, may account for the pleasing illuminationproduced.

A second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7. Thisbracket is functionally similar to the bracket of FIGS. 1-6, and isnumbered commensurately. However, in this bracket, the main body memberand the insert are formed integrally, in a stamping operation, out of asingle metal plate.

A third preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8,9. This bracket isfunctionally similar to the brackets of FIGS. 1-7, and is numberedcommensurately. However, this bracket is formed out of a single lengthof bent wire. The aperture 32 is defined by a loop formed in the end ofthe wire. The support member 28 in this embodiment is defined by spacedapart substantially parallel lengths of the wire, with the upper surface36 of the support member being defined by the upper surfaces of saidparallel lengths. The strut portion 30 in this embodiment is also formedby spaced apart substantially parallel lengths of said wire, with theslot 40 being formed by the space therebetween. As an additional featureof this embodiment, a notch 100 is defined in this bracket, to receivethe edge of a shelf (not shown).

While but three embodiments of the present invention have been hereinshown and described, it will be understood that various changes may bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Forexample, whereas the main body member described herein is constructedout of a piece of metal plate, bent and welded into shape, or stamped,the main body member could easily be cast.

Further, whereas the insert is described to have three apertures, moreor less apertures could easily be provided. It should also be understoodthat whereas the base portion is indicated to be bisected by the supportportion, this does not imply and should not be construed as requiring anequal division of the base portion. Accordingly, the invention should beunderstood as limited only by the claims appended hereto, purposivelyconstrued.

1. A bracket for use on a wall and with a fastener and a fluorescentlight fixture, the latter being of the type having an elongate housingincluding a substantially flat base adapted to be secured against aplanar wall or ceiling surface, said bracket comprising: a main bodymember defining an elongate slot and mounted in use to said wall suchthat, in use, said slot extends upwardly and away from said wall inangled relation thereto, wherein, in use, the base of said housing ismounted to the main body member by said fastener, which extends throughsaid slot.
 2. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein, in use, said slotextends upwardly and away from said wall in a first direction which liesparallel to a vertical plane orientated normal to said wall.
 3. Abracket according to claim 2, wherein the slot opens, in use, in asecond direction transverse to the first direction and lying parallel toa vertical plane orientated normal to said wall.
 4. A bracket accordingto claim 3, wherein the main body member defines a planar mountingsurface that is orientated normal to the second direction.
 5. A bracketaccording to claim 4, wherein the main body further defines a planarsupport surface that is orientated substantially horizontally in use. 6.A bracket according to claim 5, wherein the main body member comprises abase portion mounted in use to said wall; a support portion defining thesupport surface and bisecting and extending substantially horizontallyfrom the base portion; and a strut portion defining the mounting surfaceand the elongate slot and extending between a lower end of the baseportion and the support portion to support the support portion.
 7. Abracket according to claim 6, wherein the base portion, the supportportion and the strut portion are stamped integrally, out of a singlepiece of metal plate.
 8. A bracket according to claim 6, wherein thesupport portion is provided with apertures for receiving screws.
 9. Abracket according to claim 6, wherein the strut portion lies at an angleof about 45 degrees to said wall in use.
 10. A bracket according toclaim 1, further defining an aperture shaped and dimensioned to receivetherethrough a fluorescent tube for said light fixture and orientatedsubstantially horizontally in use.
 11. A bracket for use on a wall andwith a pair of fasteners, a shelf and a fluorescent light fixture, thelatter being of the type having an elongate housing including asubstantially flat base adapted to be secured against a planar wall orceiling surface, said bracket comprising: a main body member defining anelongate slot and mounted in use to said wall such that, in use, saidslot extends upwardly and away from said wall in angled relationthereto, wherein, in use, a pair of said brackets are mounted on saidwall, in horizontally spaced relation, the base of said housing ismounted to the main body members by said fasteners, each extendingthrough the slot of a respective main body member.
 12. A bracketaccording to claim 11, wherein, in use, said slot extends upwardly andaway from said wall in a first direction which lies parallel to avertical plane orientated normal to said wall.
 13. A bracket accordingto claim 12, wherein the slot opens, in use, in a second directiontransverse to the first direction and lying parallel to a vertical planeorientated normal to said wall.
 14. A bracket according to claim 13,wherein the main body member defines a planar mounting surface that isorientated normal to the second direction.
 15. A bracket according toclaim 14, wherein the main body further defines a planar support surfacethat is orientated substantially horizontally in use and supports saidshelf.
 16. A bracket according to claim 15, wherein the main body membercomprises a base portion mounted in use to said wall; a support portiondefining the support surface and bisecting and extending substantiallyhorizontally from the base portion; and a strut portion defining themounting surface and the elongate slot and extending between a lower endof the base portion and the support portion to support the supportportion.
 17. A bracket according to claim 16, wherein the base portion,the support portion and the strut portion are stamped integrally, out ofa single piece of metal plate.
 18. A bracket according to claim 16,wherein the base portion, the support portion and the strut portion aredefined by a single piece of bent wire.
 19. A bracket according to claim16, wherein the support portion is provided with apertures for receivingscrews to secure said shelf.
 20. A bracket according to claim 11,further defining an aperture shaped and dimensioned to receivetherethrough a fluorescent tube for said light fixture and orientatedsubstantially horizontally in use, such that, in use, the aperturesdefined one by each of said pair of brackets, collectively define a tubestorage slot for storing a replacement fluorescent tube.
 21. Ashelf/light combination for use with a wall and comprising: a pair ofbrackets, mounted in use to said wall in horizontally spaced relation toone another; a shelf supported upon the brackets in use; and afluorescent light fixture secured to the brackets so as to be positionedbeneath the shelf in use and to direct illumination away from the walland downwardly.